Instead, you'll likely find:
* Various relays: These control things like the fuel pump, headlights, and other electrical systems. They may be mounted on a small bracket or individually fastened.
* Fuse box/block: Protecting the circuits from overloads. This is a common component behind the seats in many cars.
* Wiring harnesses and connectors: A large bundle of wires connecting various components in the car.
* Possibly some smaller circuit boards: These might be associated with specific functions, but would be much smaller than a central control unit.
The 1981 Corvette's electrical system is relatively simple compared to modern vehicles. It doesn't have a sophisticated central computer controlling all aspects. The components behind the seat are more of a distributed collection of individual elements.